History Fort Lauderdale and the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale to Honor Six Local Leaders During “Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change – Broward County” Exhibit Opening Reception On March 3

Tickets Available for the Opening Reception, now; Free Exhibit Recognizing Impactful Women, Present and Past, Runs March 4 – 31 at The Galleria

        FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – In honor of Women’s History Month, History Fort Lauderdale and The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale will recognize six local leaders during the opening exhibition reception for “Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change – Broward County,” on Wednesday, March 3, at 5:30 p.m. Attendees will be the first to see the exhibition at The Galleria (2414 East Sunrise Blvd), and enjoy light bites and fine wine courtesy of Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants. Tickets for the History Fort Lauderdale benefit are $25 each and are available, online, at http://bit.ly/HFLWomenTrailblazers.

This free, engaging, 40-image exhibit (located near Swarovski from March 4-31 and available for viewing during mall hours) will celebrate the contributions of prominent women of today who are proponents of change along with historical female predecessors who helped to pave the way for our community. The outstanding women of today to be honored are Kareen Boutros, executive director of Broward Workshop; Lori Chevy, market president of Bank of America; Heather Havericak, CEO of Broward Health Medical Center and Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital; Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., president and CEO of Broward Community Foundation; Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Esq. of Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell, PLLC and founder of the Women of Color Empowerment Institute.

“Our Fort Lauderdale community is supported by a resilient network of empowering female leaders who positively impact our lives through their commitment to business, philanthropy, culture and the arts,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. “We invite the public to join us in celebrating the achievements of these exemplary women and the progress of all women during Women’s History Month.”

Past pioneering women to be highlighted include Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, author and founder/publisher of the Seminole Tribune; Edee Green, award-winning journalist and one of the founders of Kids in Distress in Broward County; Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, prominent suffragette, first school teacher in Fort Lauderdale, philanthropist and part founder of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society (now History Fort Lauderdale) and Easter Lily Gates, Broward County’s first woman president of the State Supervisors of Elections, among others.

“Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change – Broward County” is sponsored by Broward Health Foundation, Bank of America, Castle Group, Community Foundation of Broward, City & Shore magazine, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, FPL, ANF Group, Women of Color Empowerment Institute and Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants.

In compliance with local and state health guidelines, guests attending the benefit reception and viewing the “Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change – Broward County,” exhibition at The Galleria, will be required to wear a mask and practice safe social distancing of six feet apart. The opening reception is limited to 100 guests.

For more information about “Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change – Broward County,” call (954) 463-4431 or visit historyfortlauderdale.org. Additional information about The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is avail-able at facebook.com/GalleriaFtLauderdale or www.galleriamall-fl.com.